Magnetically controlled switch



Jan. 12, 1954 c. L. NELSON MAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED SWITCH Filed Sept. 20 1953,

Patented Jan. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED SWITCH Clarence L. Nelson, Minneapolis, Minn. 7 Application September 20, 1951, Serial No. 247,403

7 Claims. 1 This invention relates to an electrical switch, and particularly to an electrical switch in which a movable contact is movable to positions into and out of engagement respectively with a fixed contact.

Such a type switch is now commonly used in the art, which switches embody a swinging member or lever having a'handle member and having a movable contact secured thereto movable into position in engagement with a fixed contact by movement of said lever. The movement or" said lever however is generally resiliently controlled by a spring or similar means. Such spring or other resilient makes a more complicated structure and renders the switch somewhat noisy.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple type of snap or throw switch having a frame, a contact on said frame, a movable contact arranged to be moved into and out of engagement with said fixed contact, an oscillatable member mounted on said frame, a handie for oscillating said member, a magnet adjacent said fixed contact, and a member on said oscillatable member adapted to be attracted by said magnet to hold said oscillatable member in position with said contacts in engagement, said oscillating member being movable to a position with said movable contact spaced from said fixed contact.

It is another object of this invention to provide a switch comprising a frame, a fixed contact mounted on said frame, a movable contact adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with said fixed contact, a magnet adjacent said fixed contact, an oscillatable member mounted on said frame, a handle for oscillating said member, a second member carried on said oscillating member adapted to be attracted by said magnet so that in on position of said oscillating member said movable contact will be moved into engagement with said fixed contact and in another position of said oscillating member said second member will not be attracted by said magnet and said movable contact will be out of engagement with said fixed contact.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a switch comprising a frame having a plate-like top portion, a lever mounted intermediate its end on said top portion, a handle on said lever above said top portion, a movable contact on said-lever below said top portion, a fixed contact on said frame, said movable contact being movable into engagement with said fixed contact by oscillation of said lever, a magnet on said frame adjacent said fixed contact, a second magnet on said frame spaced from said fixed contact in the direction of movement of said lever, an armature carried by said lever below said top portion, and a cushioning means preferably being carried by said armature or magnets between said armature and magnets whereby a switch is provided which will be very quiet in operation and will not necessitate any springs or other resilient means for controlling the position of said lever.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a switch comprising a frame, a fixed contact mounted on said frame, a movable contact movable into and out of engagement with said fixed contact, a magnet disposed adjacent said fixed contact, an oscillating member on said frame, a handle for oscillating said member, a second member carried by said oscillating member and adapted to be attracted by said magnet so that in one position of said oscillating member said contacts will be in engagement and in another position of said oscillating member said contacts will be out of engagement.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like refeernce characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which- Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of said switch, a small portion being shown in vertical section, some parts being shown in different positions in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a substantially horizontal section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 1, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a partial top plan view of said switch;

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of a modified form of said switch;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 6'6 of Fig. 5, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 5, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation of a modified form of the device; and

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken on line 9 8 of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 to 4, a switch is shown comprising a frame H1, and while this frame could be variously constructed, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is shown as comprising a plate-like top portion Illa and spaced portions Hlb extending substantially 3 at right angles from portion Illa. Said frame I will preferably be made of material which is a non-conductor of electricity. Portion I0 has secured to its top side by screws 9 the usual plate I I having portions projecting beyond portion Illa, the ends of which are offset upwardly and provided with openings I I a through which screws will pass to hold the switch in position on an outlet box or electrical outlet. Portion Ifla. and plate H are provided respectively with an aligned rectangular opening Inc and an aligned rectangular opening II 0. Plate I I is provided at each side of opening IIc with upwardly and downwardly directed semi-cylindrical portions ;I Ib and Me which form a holding means for a pivot pin I2 which extends across portion Illaabove the same. A lever I6 is mounted for oscillating movement on pin I2, said lever having secured thereto at its upper end a handle portion I6a disposed above portion Illa. Below portion Illa. lever I6 has secured thereto a fixed contact I! which is of yokelike shape and has spaced side portions I'Ia. An armature I8 forming a permanent magnet is secured to contact I1, the same extending between the more adjacent side portions I'Ib thereof and being disposed centrally of contact I], as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. A pair of fixed contact members 2B are secured to one member I01) and while these could be variously secured, they are shown as secured by headed rivets 2|. Metal members 23 are shown engaging the opposite side of portion IIlb than that engaged by contact members 20 which are also held by the rivets 2 I. Screws 24 are shown as threaded into members 23 and Iflb and will act to hold conductors in engagement with members 23 and thus intoelectrical engagement with contact members 20. Contact members 20 will have their terminal portions 200. of somewhat concavo-convex form, as shown in Fig. 3. A permanent magnet 26 is secured to one portion Iflb adjacent the fixed contacts 2!]. Portion b is provided with a lug engaged by said magnet so that said magnet will have its surface remote from portion IlJb substantially parallel to the adjacent surface of armature I8. A second permanent magnet 28 is secured to theother pertion lob, said latter portion alsohaving an inclined surface engaged with magnet 28 so that the surface of said magnet will be substantially parallel to the adjacent surface .of armature I8 when the latter is adjacent magnet 28. Cushioning members 30 which may be made of felt, rub ber or similar material, are disposed respectively between the armature [.8 and the magnets 26 and 28. Said members 30 are shown as secured to the magnets 26 and 28 respectively.

In operation, the switch will be mounted in the usual manner on an electrical outlet. A cover plate is commonly placed over plate II and secured thereto. The handle I611. will project through the cover plate and can be conveniently engaged by the thumb or finger of the operator to move the same into the positions indicated in Fig. 1. When handle Ilia and lever [B are in the position shown in full lines in -Fig. 1, the side portions I'Ia. of the movable contact I'I will move between the fixed contacts respectively and will move said contacts and their portions 20a somewhat apart. Portions 20a will thus be resiliently held in engagement with contact members I1 and the latter will in other words he wedged between the fixed contacts 20. When in said position the armature I8 will be strongly attracted by the magnet 26 and the switch will be held in its on position. Said lever I6 is very free- 1y movable and as the armature I8 nears magnet 26 it will be drawn towards said magnet. The member will prevent any audible contact of armature I8 and magnet 26. When the switch is to be moved to off position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the operator will again swing handle Ilia. Armature It will now be swung adjacent magnet 28 and will be strongly attracted by said latter magnet. The switch will thus be held in its off position. Any audible'engagement of armature I8 and magnet 28 will be prevented by the cushioning means 30. The switch is thus very easily moved from its on to its off position and is so movable without any audible sound. There is thus no clicking or snapping of any spring. The switch is nicely held in either of its two positions and will have to be moved by its handle Ilia. from one position to the other.

Referring to Figs. 5, 6 and 7, a modified form of the invention is shown. A frame 40 is shown having a top portion 40a of plate-like material and a portion 40b projecting at right angles from one end of portion 48a. In practice, portion 49a. will preferably have an attaching plate, such as plate I l shown in Figs. 1 and 4, attached thereto. A bearing II is provided in portion 40a in which is journaled a shaft 42 to the uper end of which is attached a knob handle .44. Handle 44 has a central hub which will engage one side of bearing M, and the opposite side of said bearing is en gaged by a gear 45 secured to shaft .42. Gear #5 meshes with a rack 46 slidable in guide members 41 secured to the underside of portion 40a by the rivets 48. When at one end of its movement, rack 45 will engage portion 40b, and a stop lite-is provided at one end of portion 40a. forming a stop for said rack when moved in the opposite direction. A permanent magnet 50 is secured at the end of shaft 42 and said magnet as usual will have positive and negative poles.

A member 5i has a laterally extending lugiia secured to portion 4% by the screw 52. -Mem ber 5| extends some distance from portion 40b substantially parallel to portion tied and has sec cured thereto by the rivets 5s a permanent magnet 5'6. Member 5: is made of metal and the upper end portion 5 It thereof constitutes a move able contact. Member at is preferably made of material which is a non-conductor of electricity. A member 57 has a laterally extending lug 57a extending toward one side of portion 49b and secured thereto by a headed screw 53. Screws 52 and 53 are provided with nuts 60 at the side of portion 40b opposite the lugs Ela and 57a, which nuts are tightened to engage portion .4812. Additional nuts BI .are threaded on the screws =52 and 53and will act to hold conductors between the nuts 66 and GI. Screws 52 and 58 thus act as binding posts. Member 57 extends upwardly substantially to .the free end of member SI and has its upper end portion 57b bent at substan tially right angles to extend transversely of member 5I. Portion 57b of member 5! constis tutes a fixed contact. The adjacent faces .or sun faces ofmagnets 5t and 56 are at a slight angle and converge upwardly, as shown in Fig. 5. Magnet 56 will of course also have a positive and negative pole.

In operation when the positive pole of magnet 5i] is Opposite or at the corresponding end form.- ing the negative pole of magnet 55, the magnets will attract each other and magnet 55 will move toward magnet-56 and carry with it the upper end of member 56 which will then engage the fixed contact formed by the end portion of member 51. The switch will then be in closed position. The magnets will be strongly attracted to each other and the switch will positively be held in this position. The adjacent faces of the magnets will be substantially parallel and in engagement. When the knob or handle is turned through 180 degrees from said closed position, the positive poles of magnets 55 and 56 will be adjacent and opposite each other as will the negative poles. The magnets will then repel each other and magnet 55 will move away from magnet 50, as shown in Fig. 5, and the movable contact on member will be separated from the fixed contact on member 51. The rack will engage portions 401) and 490 respectively when the switch is in closed or open position and will indicate that the handle 44 has been turned the right amount.

The handle a l will thus be turned to bring the switch to its on or closed position and to its off or open position. As the magnet 53 is rotated and its positive pole approaches the negative pole of magnet 56, the latter will be drawn to magnet and magnet 50 will swing to a position so that the magnets are in horizontal alignment. As stated, magnet 58 moves the movable contact 5i?) into engagement with the fixed contact The switch is now in closed position and will be firmly held in said position by magnets and 55. The switch will remain in its closed or open position until handle 44 is again turned. As in the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 4, there is no spring to snap from one positi n to another and the operation of the switch is entirely noiseless. The positions of the switch, as stated, will also be indicated by the rack 46 engaging the stops at either end thereof. A very eflicient and simple switch is thus provided.

In Figs. 8 and 9 another modification of the device is shown. In these figures a plate it: is shown to which is secured a plate Ti extending at right angles to plate Til. These parts correspond to the parts 4! and 46b of Fig. 5. Secured to member ll is a contact member i3 which is identical with the contact member 5'1 shown in Fig. 5. Also secured to member ii is a contact member 14 which is identical with the contact member 5| shown in Fig. 5. Member T4 carries a permanent magnet F5. The upper ends of members l3 and 14 will be the same as the upper ends of members 5! and 5! shown in Figs. 5 and 7. These upper ends are omitted in Fig. 8. A handle member 16 is swingable about the axis of a pivot '18 which will be secured to member 753 in any suitable manner. Handle [8 moves in a slot or opening in member 76 and has a substantially semi-circular portion 150. at the side thereof opposite its handle portion 16b. Portion l'fia has formed thereon or secured thereto a gear segment 80. Gear segment 89 meshes with a small gear 8| secured to a shaft 82 journaled in a bearing member 83 which is in turn secured to member IE by the screws or rivets 84. Shaft 82 is held from longitudinal movement in bearing 83 by pins 85. Shaft 82 has secured to its end a permanent magnet 86 which, as shown in Fig. 9, is arranged to be disposed in facial alignment with magnet 15.

In operation, when the positive pole of magnet 86 is opposite or at the corresponding end forming the negative pole of magnet 15, the magnets will attract each other and magnet 15 will move toward magnet 86 and carry with it the upper end of member 14 which will then engage the fixed contact formed by the end portion of member 13. The switch will then be in closed posi- 6 tion. The magnets will be strongly attracted to each other and the switch will positively be held in this position. The magnets will be moved to the stated position by the operator swinging member 16 by taking hold of or pushing on handle portion 15b. The adjacent faces of the magnets will then be substantially parallel and in engagement. When the handle 16 is turned in the opposite direction, it will move gear 8! through substantially 180 degrees and the positive poles of magnets 15 and 86 will be adjacent each other as will the negative poles. The magnets will then repel each other and magnet 15 will move away from magnet 86 and the movable contact on member I4 will be sep-' arated from the fixed contact end of member 13. The ends of the segment will engage member 10 and form a stop for the handle 16 when it has been turned to the right amount to bring the magnets and 86 to the desired position. The switch is thus easily moved to its on or closed position and to its off or open position. .As the magnet 36 is rotated and its positive pole approaches the negative pole of magnet 15, the latter will be drawn to magnet 86 and magnet 86 will swing to a position so that the magnets are in facial alignment. As in the other forms or the device, there is no spring to snap from one position to another and produce a noise or click. The operation of the switch is entirely noiseless. A very efiicient and simple switch is thus provided.

From the above description it will be seen that I have produced a switch of simple construction and one that can be very easily and noiselessly operated. Even with the smallest switches the operation of spring pressed parts which snap into position causes quite a noticeable sound. At night when everything is quiet, such switches are sometimes very annoying to people who are ill or nervous. As described, the switch of this invention is noiseless and yet can be very easily operated and is positively held in position. The device has been amply demonstrated in actual practice and found to be very successful and efiicient.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, Without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electric switch having in combination, a frame, a fixed contact mounted on said frame, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends on said frame, a handle at one end of said lever, a movable contact carried adjacent the other end of said lever movable into engagement with said fixed contact and away from the same, an armature carried by said lever, a magnet adjacent said fixed contact and a magnet spaced from said fixed contact in the direction of movement of said lever, said lever being freely movable by said handle whereby when said movable contact is in position engaged with said fixed contact or in position spaced from said fixed contact it will be held in said positions respectively by said armature and the respective one of said magnets.

2. An electric switch having in combination, a frame having a top member, a lever pivoted to said frame, a handle on said lever at the top side of said top member, a movable contact on 3. sai ver below said'topportion. a fixed con tact, onsaid frame. disposed to be, engaged said movable contact in one position of said. lever, said movable. contact being, spaced from, said fixed contact in another position of said lever, a. magnet carried by said lever below said; top portion, a. second magnet on said frame. ad: iacen-t said fixed contact, a. third: magnet onv said frame spaced from. said fixed contact. in the direction or movement, of said lever, and a, cushioning means disposed between said first. mentioned magnet and said second and third magnets, saidlever being. freely movable, whereby said switchwill operate. quietly and will be held. in positions. with, said movable contact engaged with. said fixedcontact or spaced therefrom. by said magnets respectively.

3.. electric switch. having in combination, a. frame, spaced contact members of resilient. material. secured to. saidframe, a. lever mounted; on said frame for swinging movement, a movable contact on. said lever with spaced portions. adapted respectively to engage said fixed contacts; and be resiliently engaged by saidfixed contacts in one. position of said lever, a handle Qnsaid lever, an armature on said lever between said spaced portions of said. movable contact, a magnet on said frame adjacent saidv fixed contests, a second magnet on said frame spaced tram said fixed contact in the direction of. movenient of: said lever, saidvv lever being, freely sw ng,- able whereby said movable; contact will be held in position. in, engagement with said fixed contact or spaced from said fixed contact respectively by said. respectivemagnets.

ii an electric switch having in. combination, a. trame a. lever mounted on said frame to swing to on and off position, a, contact carried by said lever, a second contact disposed tobe: engagged, by said contactwhen. said. lever is in, said on. position, a plate-like. magnet. carried by said. lever with said first mentioned contact, a second plate-like, magnet disposed adjacent said second contact, a third plate-like. magnet. carried by said frame spaced trom said second magnet, said first mentioned and second. mag-r nets being, arranged to come into.- substantially parallel. relation when said. lever is. in, on posie time to hold. said lever in. position and; said first. mentioned and third magnets being arranged to come into substantially parallel relation when. said lever is; in off position to hold said lever in on position,

electric, switchhaving, in combination; a frame, spaced resilient contacts mounted on said frame, a lever pivoted intermediate its-ends: on said frame and movable to on andoff positions, a handle at the outer end of said levers the inner end. of said lever comprising a. bow shaped member forming a contact and arranged. to move with said lever to a position between andin engagement with said contacts, a substan-- tially flat rectangular magnet having a groove the-reabout, saidmagnet disposed. in said member v a. second magnet adjacent saidcontacts, and a. third magnet spaced from said contacts whereby said first magnet is held. in fixed position. in. engagement with said contacts or apart from the same.

6. An. electric switch having in combination,

a frame, spaced resilient contacts mounted. on. said frame, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends;

on said frame, a handle at the outer end of said.

lever, the inner end of said lever comprising; a

boiv-shaped member, a substantially flat rec tangnlar magnet having a groove thereabout.

andadapted to be disposed in said bow-shaped member, said bow adapted. tomove between and engage said contacts, a second magnet adjacent said contacts, and a third magnet. spaced apart;

from said contacts; whereby said member; and.

first mentioned magnet. are held in fixed posi tion in engagement with said contacts or spaced apart from the same; I

7. An electric switch having. in combination;

a frame, spaced resilient contacts extendingin wardly of said frame, a lever pivoted insaid; frame having an outwardly extending handle, said lever having a bow-shaped: frame and being, movable to on and off positions, a magnet held in said bow-shaped frame, said.- magnet: movable bet veen said contacts and adapted to engage the same, a second magnet disposed ad--- jacent said contacts and a magnet disposedapart from said contacts, resilient cushion members. secured to the adjacent. surfaces; of said second; and third mentioned magnets. whereby saidifra-m'e and magnet can be held in fixed. position between: said contacts in its on position. or apart from.

the same in its 01? position and said cushionv members will makesaid switch noiseless.

CLARENCE L. NELSON;

References Cited. in the file of, this.- patent UNITED STATES PATENTS? Number Name Date.

2,388,951 Bower Nov. I3, 1945;. 2,449,109 Domonlias Sept. 14', 1948" 

